I am thinking of getting an AR in 223. I have zero experience with this type of weapon. Any experts out there? I don't have a huge amount of $$$ to invest and the AR-type rifle definitely seems pricey so maybe a used weapon would be best ?? What brands should I avoid? What should I expect to pay for a used model?

Chris is correct; that is a good deal. Which and what type AR to get
are good questions. What are you mainly going to use it for ?
What is your budget ? Answers to those will help people give you
more targeted advice. I really enjoy the ones I have.
You also might want to read up at the following link:http://forums.officer.com/t81462/

Figure a minimum of $700 for a mil-spec gun and slightly less for non mil-spec. Used is good IF you know what you are buying. With all the hundreds of parts floating around that can be difficult. I recommend you buy a complete factory assembled AR as the first purchase, and then build after you have hands on experience.

Most AR owners are very brand loyal and well highly recommend the brand they own. That is why I recommend...

Like gvvan01 ask, what are you going to use it for? If it is just for plinking and looks about anything will do. If it`s to be used for hunting I would recomand that you get a flat top with no frount sight and put a 3 x 9 Leupold scope on it. I am a Rock River fan and have 2 lowers and 3 uppers. 2 uppers are for coyote hunting. The day time upper has a 3 x 9 Leupold on it and the nite upper has a lazer sight on it. The 3 rd upper is a 204 set up for grounghog hunting with a 6 x 18 Leupold on it. You may or may not be bothered by the frount sight if you put a scope on it. I was told that I would never see it, but I did and it drove me nuts tring to shoot it so I had it taken off. You now have my oppenion and that and $ 1 will get you a cuo of coffie.

I'm not even close to being an expert on the AR platform rifles, but I can tell you this. Aside from the manufacturer, know what model you want. For example, do you want a carbine barrel length, a fixed or detachable handle? The detachable handle has more options to experiment with to your personal liking. From the barrel twists to the add-ons (furniture) you can get overwhelmed. From research I've seen, the top dogs in the AR field are (in no particular order): Colt, BCM, Daniel Defense, Noveske, Les Baer, Rock River, LMT, and probably a few more. The price tags will scare you. Good luck

__________________No one reads or cares what is written in ones signature box. So I'm not writing anything worth reading or remembering.

I'd go BCM.
I bought two Smiths and had nothing but problems. And even when they functioned, the trigger pull measured over 15lbs.
Seems most everyone else likes their S&W's. But mine did indeed suck.
I say build your own. You'll be more satisfied, and will probably save some $$$.

I like the LWRC M6A2...though I don't have one at the moment. I have two Rock River AR's, and a Smith & Wesson upper in 5.45X39 {I like them both}. Both have tight fit's between the upper and lower. Get the best rifle you can afford, because usually...especially for a gun enthusiast like me --- the cost of ammo --- far outstrips the cost of the rifle.

Don't buy a 223 chamber, better yet...buy a 223Wylde chamber, or a 5.56X45 chamber --- which can both handle 5.56X45 NATO rounds safely. I would buy one with a 1 in 9 twist, that can handle bullets up to 69 grains. For heavy bullets: a 1 in 7, or a 1 in 8 twist would be fine.

Over the last 4 weeks, I've test fired and mounted scopes on 4 different AR uppers/rifles- one Olympic, one CMMG, and 2 DelTon(one each M-4 and Hbar profile) . The lowers included Plum Crazy(carbon fiber factory assembled), Delaware Machine(assembled by myself), and a Sharps Rifle Company(also home built).
I can honestly say I'd put any of these up against any production built AR on the market. When 16" carbines are turning out 3/4" groups with low power optics, there's not much you can fault.There are good AR's from so many makers that it's a challenge to find a really bad rifle.

If you can change your oil you can build an AR from commercially available parts. I bought a complete upper from Loki Weapon Systems and bought a stripped lower and built it with a rock river national match two stage trigger kit and a VLTOR stock kit. Have since added parts and changed parts.

Building an AR is easy. You will save money and after doing some research, be able to get exactly what you want so money spent on modifications afterwards is minimal.

S&W would be my recommendation. Great complete AR with a great warranty. Priced well for what you get and a strong base platform to modify after you shoot it a while and learn about what else you would like to add or change.

But as others have mentioned, there are a lot of players these days and if you stick with a reputable company, you'll be in good shape.

Yes Chris- mine had 15++lb triggers. There was a thread about it. It was years ago now.
I'm sure the 6lb triggers in newer Smiths are nice, but there was pretty much a concensus that the sw triggers were heavy. I guess smith wised up and put better triggers on them. If so, awesome, they needed to.
I still think buying from an AR-specific maker is a better way to go.
Are Spikes still selling AR's for cheap? I haven't looked in a while, but last I checked, a nice Spike's AR was $800-ish.
BCM, Spikes, Rock River, or a Colt would be what I'd do, if I had it all to do over again.
But I'm happy with my AK and Mini. My eyesight sucks, so moa-accuracy isn't a huge concearn.

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